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Unlicensed dealer fined

After pleading not guilty, the Bassendean man (43) was found guilty at trial of buying and selling numerous vehicles between January 2012 and May 2013 without having a licence as required by the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act.

The vehicles, advertised on Gumtree and in the Quokka publication, were sold from his home and a previous workplace in South Guildford.

The magistrate reduced the amount of the fine based on the man’s financial circumstances and also granted him a spent conviction.

Consumer Protection Acting Commissioner David Hillyard said the department would continue its tough stand against backyard dealing.

“Unlicensed motor vehicle dealers are taking away business from licensed dealers who do the right thing by paying their licensing fees and honouring their obligations with regard to warranties and other protections for consumers contained in the Act,” he said.

“Unlicensed dealers do not offer warranties for their vehicles ,which put consumers at great risk.

“In this case, two buyers had mechanical problems a short time after the purchase of the vehicles, highlighting the dangers of dealing with these illegal operators.”